VIOLENCE

09.13.12

Militants Were Behind Libya Attack

Gianluigi Guercia, AFP / GettyImages

A senior Libyan official says the consulate attack that killed American ambassador Christopher Stevens and three staffers was an organized two-part attack by militants. Protests erupted around the U.S. consulate in outrage over a movie that was deemed anti-Muslim before a grenade hit the compound. Libya’s deputy interior minister said the attacks were timed for the anniversary of 9/11 and used the protests as a cover. Consulate staffers were taken to a supposedly secret safe house, which was attacked as an evacuation mission arrived. The minister confirmed that a number of suspects have been arrested. The White House is continuing a separate investigation into the attack.